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Cobalt Wedding Bands – A Metal Full of Surprises!   by J. Raquel

New Leader Of The Pack

Cobalt, as used in jewelry is brand new. In the past tungsten had
a dominant and far reaching lead in the contemporary metals arena,
but that is quickly changing. Tungsten's popularity grew due to its valuable properties of high scratch resistance and long lasting lustrous shine. However, mens cobalt wedding bands are fast emerging as a new favorite and retailers are quickly adding more of a selection of these rings in their showroom. Cobalt shares a few things in common with tungsten and also hold a few advantages that the latter does not possess. What, specifically are those commonalities? For one, cobalt is amazingly scratch resistant. Though not as scratch resistant as tungsten, who measures in around 8.5 on Moh's hardness scale. Moh's, for all intents and purposes is a scratch test that indicates the hardness of metals and non metal alloy's. Cobalt measures in at a close 7.5 on this same scale. Cobalt is also able to claim a permanent polish, the same as tungsten. That being said, cobalt will outshine tungsten, hands down, on any given day. Hows that? Because tungsten's natural coloration is that of a cool steel gray. Which, if that is the look that pleases you best, wonderful, go with tungsten. However, if you, like many others, want a platinum-like appearance and shine, then you will quickly become enamored with cobalt wedding bands.

What About Skin Irritation?

For years now, a strong selling point for manufacturers and retailers of fine jewelry alike, has been featuring cobalt free tungsten bands. This has created much confusion when now, it seems that the same retailers are encouraging consumers to consider a cobalt wedding band, instead of one made of other contemporary metals. How can cobalt in tungsten rings be so bad, and cobalt wedding bands be so good? Oh, how easy life would be if we were all scientists. I for one am not, so I am sure that I cannot explain all the physics of how different metals and elements interact together. It seems that the simple answer is that just like children, (and some adults too for that matter) not all elements play well together. When manufacturers of tungsten use cobalt as a bonding agent in producing tungsten carbide, the cobalt has a strong likelihood of becoming corrosive as it comes into contact with your skin oils. This can cause redness, irritation, and a discoloration of both your skin and your ring. However, in creating the cobalt chrome alloy, it is completely different. In this new alloy, cobalt is combined with chromium, which is also used in creating stainless steel products, due in part, to its highly anti-corrosive properties. Chromium by nature, has amazing self healing properties, especially when exposed to oxygen, which is what prevents its oxidizing, and forms a natural sealant of types within itself. Therefore, it would appear that when you combine chromium with cobalt, who is also anti-corrosive until it confronts those nasty skin oils, it prevents the cobalt from leaching onto your skin. This beautiful marriage of cobalt and chromium thus creates a new alloy that is bio-compatible and completely hypo-allergenic. Now that we have had our brief biology lesson, lets discuss the other advantages of choosing a mens cobalt chrome wedding ring over one of white gold or platinum.

More Room to Play

Tungsten, as many of us already know, is one of the strongest alloys used in jewelry making. This is good, due to its high scratch resistance and permanent polish and makes it a favorite for the working man who doesn't want his wedding band to become dull or dinged up. But, on the flip side, because of this extreme hardness, designers are at times limited to the types of styles that can be created. This is not an issue with cobalt wedding bands due to the fact that this alloy is far more malleable. Because of this malleability, it will not chip or crack, making it great for diamonds and custom work, the same cannot be said of tungsten. Another factor is that tungsten has a weighty feel, that is a selling point for those who desire a more chunky or solid band, but is a drawback to those who want durability without what they might consider as a constant reminder that they are wearing jewelry. Cobalt chrome wedding bands are very lightweight, and this may be one of the reasons that designer Heavy Stone Rings has reported that mens cobalt wedding bands account for nearly 50% of their wedding band sales. Prices of these bands vary with style, but to give you and idea, at http://www.Titanium-Jewlery.com, a leading online retailer of cobalt wedding bands, prices start around $200, which is remarkably less than you would pay for one of white gold or platinum.

So, you've had a brief synopsis of the advantages of choosing this newest addition to the jewelry world for yourself. Be sure, as you are doing your own jewelry shopping, to admire the plethora of designs that are out there for you to choose from.

About the Author

J. Raquel is a freelance journalist covering day to day events, keeping and eye on emerging trends in fashion and family. Cobalt chrome rings, Cobalt chrome wedding rings and mens cobalt chrome wedding rings make the top of the list when it comes to all things fashion forward.
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